The public is invited to attend the Grand Opening of the 85-mile multi-use Down East Sunrise Trail. There will be a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 21 at the trailhead at Washington Junction in Hancock.
The opening of the trail marks a milestone in the Calais Branch Corridor Rehabilitation Project. This is an interagency effort that rehabilitated and preserved the entire 85-mile rail corridor for future rail use as well as providing a wide, gravel-based, multi-use trail for snowmobilers, ATVs, pedestrians, bicyclists, cross country skiers, equestrians, and others.
The multi-use trail is expected to enhance economic and recreational benefits to the Washington and Hancock County areas, similar to what has happened along other rail trails in Central and Northern Maine.
The scenic rail corridor runs along the entire Downeast coastal area, connects multiple scenic conservation areas, intersects Downeast salmon rivers, and is very near two state designated scenic highways.